Big Fish Blog

A screening of the student-produced TV series was held in early November at the Orpheum Theater in Fairfield, with viewers being surprised by the professionalism of the work – professionalism further attested by the fact that several of the seven graduates are already working in Hollywood.

The TV track in MUM’s David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts began in January 2016, and filming of the 10 episodes took place October–December, 2016. By graduation 2017 the students had edited and produced their series.

Johnny Coffeen, who received an MA in film in 2015, was intimately involved in the recent Academy Awards ceremony, bringing Oscars onto the stage and handing them to the presenters, and escorting award recipients off the stage.

Monica Demes, who graduated from the David Lynch MFA in 2015, has been winning awards and gaining attention at international film festivals for the film she created while a student at MUM – “Lilith’s Awakening.”

Having first won awards in the Iowa Motion Picture Association for best director, best actress, and best cinematography, her film was selected for the prestigious Internacional Film Festival of Ourense, which is one of the 10 biggest film festivals in Spain and which focuses on art house films.

Brenton Schwartz just received his bachelor’s degree in media and communications and the outstanding student award from the department. Not only did Brenton do well in his film classes, but he volunteered for several projects directed by the David Lynch MA film students.

On Saturday, June 18th, David Lynch took part in an enlightening Q&A with MUM’s 2016 graduating class. Here’s what the press had to say about the event, the university, and the appointment of Dr. John Hagelin as university president:

MUM student Sam Bozzo received his BFA in film from the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California and attended the UCLA Professional Screenwriting program. Over the past 20 years he has had a prolific career as a video producer, director, editor, and motion graphic designer working in many industries, including advertising, education, and entertainment. He has also written dozens of screenplays, and his short films were screened at the Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals.

My Reincarnation, the Emmy-nominated documentary film that follows the journey of awakening of a famous Buddhist teacher’s son, screens this Saturday, April 2nd at 7:30 p.m. as part of the David Lynch MFA in Film (DLMFA) Outer Dimensions Film Series at Fairfield’s Orpheum Theater.

DLMFA co-founder and Fairfield resident Joanna Plafsky is Executive Producer of My Reincarnation, which was filmed over the course of 20 years by director Jennifer Fox. The critically acclaimed film chronicles the epic story of high Tibetan Buddhist Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s rise as...